China detains man for ‘false reporting’ on foreign website

BEIJING (AP) — Police in Beijing have detained a man who they said provided false information to a U.S.-based dissident news website known for publicizing allegations of corruption and human rights abuses in China.

Police said Tuesday that Xiang Nanfu, 62, fabricated information he provided to Boxun.com. That included reports about organ harvesting and live burials by the Chinese government.

Boxun said in a statement that Xiang has been an advocate for Chinese petitioners seeking justice for grievances. It denied a report by Beijing police that Xiang was paid for his reports.

Xiang was shown on Chinese television confessing and expressing contrition.